That ‘ancient’ name
taken from one of T S Eliot’s unpublished poems “Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle
Cats” … Rare Breeds are Rare …
 |
| Jellicle with Jellicle patriarch |
… so is J for the rare Jellicle Cats ... which I see are
spreading their tentacles with their performances around the world …
 |
| A Jacob Ram |
The Jellicle cat gets supremacy in our A-Z over the Jacob
sheep – which I will do anon …
 |
| The Jabberwock, as illustrated by John Tenniel |
Jellicle is J for Jolly short ... though just noted I could
have used Jabberwocky …
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| An escaped Jellicle into Alice's Adventures in Wonderland |
That is J for Jawdropping, Jolly Jellicle or Jabberwocky
creatures who fall Jammy-well short for Jay … from Aspects of British County
Rare Breeds …
Counties
with the letter J … jolly well none
(note
some Counties have been retired!, or amended over historical local government …
but some I’ve included)
England: None
Northern
Ireland: None
Scotland: None
Wales: None
Link to the lyrics for Jellicle Cats ...
Pretty please! - these are not a breed of cat - they are Mr T S Eliot's wonderful make believe world - which is now a fantastic musical taken from the poem, and spill over merchandise ... just to clarify matters!!!
Pretty please! - these are not a breed of cat - they are Mr T S Eliot's wonderful make believe world - which is now a fantastic musical taken from the poem, and spill over merchandise ... just to clarify matters!!!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
58 comments:
I grew up with the Jabberwocky. I am pretty certain that all of my siblings could, as I can, still recite it.
And love TS Eliot's take on cats too (though my favourite was always Macavity, the monster of depravity.)
Just a short post, but a Jolly good one. And I am looking forward to learning about Jake the sheep too.
A Joyful post. :D That Jacob ram is too cute!
A to Z 2017: Magical and Medicinal Herbs
Jellicle cats! Indeed, a rare breed. How fun, Hilary! Happy J Day! Denise
I am not a cat person at all. I know what Persian cats looks like and that's my level of knowledge on cats. :) Thanks for enlightening me with one more breed of cats.
What a cute cat !
This post makes me smile, Hilary! (Although your posts always do - this one is extra special.) "Beware the Jabberwock!" I remember reading this poem in a college English lit class, when I was 18 years old - it was a beautiful day and the teacher suggested we sit on the grass out on the campus and have class. A delightful day to read poetry aloud outside - and Jabberwocky was one of them.
Aw, what a cute kitty indeed.
I'd never heard the word before. Jellicle cats. And here I thought I knew all the breeds.
Never heard of Pollicle Dogs and Jellicle cats. New words for me.
I was never sure, after seeing the 'Cats' music, whether or not Jellicle cats were real. I'm still not sure.....
CLICK HERE for Bazza’s recondite Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
@ EC – I’m not sure I came across Jabberwocky til later in life – but Macavity is a brilliant monster of depravity – such descriptive words … thank you for reminding me about Jake the sheep – I’d omitted him … so he’ll be added in before ‘S’ day comes around …
@ Sara – thanks – it was a fun one to write up … and yes I’ve remember to include Jacob on ‘S’ day …
@ Denise – had to fit the bill somehow didn’t I – and it’s definitely a rare breed – just worried now about others’ take on the literal aspect! Thanks …
@ Vinodini – nope – please check out the lyrics from TS Eliot’s poem … Jellicles are a figment of imagination – clever imagination for sure! Persian cats are a delight ... but some of us are cat lovers, some dog lovers, some both, some none … so no worries …
@ Gattina – thanks …
@ Lynn – thanks so much … now I ‘m re-reading the post I’m enjoying it too! What a wonderful way to read poetry – I’d enjoy that … warm grass, sun streaming down, class full of my friends reading out loud … great that Jabberwocky was one of them – happy memories …
@ Murees – many thanks …
@ Diane – you do I’m sure know all the breeds – a Jellicle is a figment of Eliot’s imagination for his poem … which was unpublished – but CATS the musical has established the name …
@ Cynthia – they’re part of TS Eliot’s poem … just fun to use here …
@ Bazza – I’m fairly certain they’re not real – on the other hand if you met a Jellicle outside the theatre – then perhaps yes!!
Cheers to you all … Pollicle and Jellicle are wonderful names created and used by TS Eliot for his poem …
I am anxious in case I start an internet trend about a new breed of cat via the comments here in this post … and I’m laughing as I think about it …
Thanks so much to you all – please read the lyrics per the link at the end of the post – or see the musical, or DVD no doubt … enjoy though - Hilary
Wonderful! J is also for Jam and Jerusalem? :-)
I remember my mother reading these to me when I was young. Cats are a favorite of mine, Jellicle and otherwise.
Phillip | J is for Jean-san
Well, you know I love anything kitty! :)
Great J post. I like how you used "Jawdropping . to show a picture of a cat. I did not know any thing about Jellicle Cats. I always learn something new on your posts. Thanks, Cheer !
Unusual content.Brilliant.Kim
I didn't read the Jabberwocky until I was an adult. I'm glad of that, because that creature is terrifying!
Jolly and juicy thank you so much Hilary - my smile for the day!
I love the kitten in Alice's home! I have the Jabberwocky in my story in the Insecure Anthology -- the least liked of the stories in the book according to the reviews. Poor Jabberwocky, I meant to do you justice. Really.
Beware the Jabberwock and shun the frumious Bandersnatch. I once called a house Borogoves.
Although I have read much of Lewis Carroll's works, I have never read the Cat poems from which Cats was taken. I did see Cats though.
I'm trying to figure why Jellicle Cats hasn't been adopted as the mascot for a football club somewhere! And there isn't enough Jabberwocky about lately, either. That's my opinion.
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Eli@CoachDaddy
J is for Justification for the Blog Life
hi grandblogmum!
that a really different post. i love the name jellicle. quite a name for a cat. the names in t.s. eliot's book old possums book of practical cats are so much fun and the poems are neat. i think he had a lot of fun making up those names and writing the poems. fun post. i'd like to know more about the jacob ram. i'm naming him rambunticus. ha ha.
Eliot's Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats is such a fun collection. I have a version illustrated by Edward Gorey I often crack open during National Poetry Month.
It is kind of funny that you mostly had to use fictional creature names for J. One of the few breeds of anything I can think of that start with J is the dog breed Jack Russell Terrier, and they're hardly rare. At least five families in my neighborhood have one.
Jelly I can do, but jellicle cat? Not even sure what that is! Jabberwocky is one of those fabulous made up words that has stood the test of time.
I must say, I did get the feeling that these names were not real. They could only be fictitious. Don't know why, but this cat reminds me of the Puss in Boots.
Happy AtoZing, Hilary!
Chicky @ www.mysteriouskaddu.com
It's a very jolly good day indeed that contains a jellicle cat!
Jolly good J post. Thanks for an amusing J day
Very quirky, Hilary!
First I loved Eliot's cats, then Andrew Lloyd Webber's. And as for counties that begin with the letter J, the county I live in is Jefferson County. Though I don't suppose Thomas Jefferson is remembered as fondly in the UK as he is in the US.
What a jubilant post! Brought back fond memories of reading both the Jabberwocky and Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats while growing up.
@ Mike – yes I agree lots of other Js .. but the posts are about Rare Breeds … ?!
@ Phillip – that’s great - the poems are evocative aren’t they and you remember your mother reading them to you …
@ Betsy – yes I thought you’d love this one!
@ Munir – I’d not realised Jawdropping was posted against that kitty – I hope you enjoy the poem – the link is there …
@ Kim – delighted you enjoyed it ..
@ Sherry – Tenniel was a brilliant creative illustrator wasn’t he – yes it is a terrifying image …
@ Susan – delighted that I brought a smile to your day …
@ Roland – oh dear about the Jabberwocky storyline – sorry about that.
@ Jo – Eliot and Carroll both wrote some incredible pieces – which cheer us all up as we read them. Borogroves – good name.
@ Eli – yes an interesting thought – maybe they are too English? Good to see you here …
@ Lenny – thought you might like this post … and so many of us have loved the poems ever since. I’ve made a note to write up a paragraph or two on the Jacob ram – love that name – Rambunticus … so good to read …
@ Laurel – brilliant that you’ve a version illustrated by Edward Gorey and open it up fairly often ... especially during National Poetry Month …
I know – but as I’m doing Rare Breeds … Jack Russel’s can’t really come into the equation can they – as you note …
@ Karen – the poems are wonderful ... I hope you get to read them …
@ Chicky – it’s a fun post … and obviously Eliot amused himself drafting up these posts …
@ Deborah – delighted you enjoyed the jolly good day!
@ Joanne – it was a fun J post ... thank you …
@ Anabel – yes it is certainly quirky …
@ Claudia – that’s great the memories came back and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats has proved the test of time – brilliant musical.
Jefferson county – doesn’t count I’m afraid … sorreeee
@ Nick – thanks for the Jubilant post and I’m glad it brought back fond memories for you … they are lovely poems …
Cheers to you all – thanks for your visits and all the extra J word! - Hilary
That Jellicle cat up there at the top looks like the lion in the Wizard of Oz.
Finding Eliza
Dear god, that giant kitten is going to wreck havoc upon that home! Oh the humanity!
I showed the big kitten to my grandson who picks them up wrong and told him we are getting one. He showed me all his scratches and said it might be mean,LOL
You caught me out there with a word I did not even know! I was somehow expecting jigsaws. Well done Diane
I'm not a cat lover myself - I'm never sure what they are thinking! This is certainly one I have never heard of. Interesting word, Jellicle. It sounds almost edible!
Another day in Amble Bay!
I've never heard of Jellico cats. What a wonder.
Now I have the Jellicle Cats song playing in my head. It will be there all day.
Jabberwocky is someone I know from childhood.
Jellicle I'm no end pleased to meet,
though this word is much too good
for a breed, sounds more like something to eat! :)
Nila
Madly-in-Verse
You amaze me with the topics you present that I've never heard about before. Not even one average "J" in the batch. Thanks for another educational post.
I'm a big fan of Jabberwocky, which I actually use in my literacy class, to explain to the kids that you can still work out what the story is about - a young man on a quest to fight a monster - even with all those nonsense words around it. They enjoy my performance and get the point. Did you know that the word "chortle" was first used in this poem? So Lewis Carroll added a word to the language. You never know, someone might breed a Jellicle cat one day. ;-)
Cute, joyful post :) Once again, I learned something new today.
Emily | My Life In Ecuador
I had an earworm all morning after reading this before leaving for work...
Jellicles can and jellicles do
Jellicles can and jellicles do
I may even have attempted a tiny jellicle leap, but I will deny it if asked.
;-)
Oh, okay. I kind of thought that was a made up word.
@ Kristin – I’m sure some of the Cats outfits were similar to the Lion …
@ CD – yes you’re right the kitten does look fairly devilishly doesn’t it …
@ Steve – oh how funny … they are amazing aren’t they … little soul really doesn’t want any more scratches does he – love this thank you – tell him I’ll keep the kitty here, but he must pick them up in the way Granddaddy tells him to!
@ Diane – ah ha … glad it amused – no jigsaws in rare breeds!
@ Keith – I love cats – but I know many aren’t too happy with them. Jellicle could well be a new dish couldn’t it – I’ll keep any eye out for it!
@ Jacqui – when you get a chance have a read of TS Eliot’s poems …
@ LD – sorry about that – but it’s a fun song – I love it!
@ Nila – bless you – a wonderful poem to add to the Jellicle and Jabberwocky tales – fun … and another wanting Jellicle to be a new food …
@ Gail – I’m aim to please … but I had a few difficulties drafting these posts – this was a fun extra post …
@ Sue – oh that’s great – bet they enjoy your way of teaching: sounds wonderful … especially having the nonsense words running through the teaching. I didn’t know that “chortle” first came up in the Jabberwocky … thank you for letting us know that – I bet Lewis Carroll asked other words. Ah ha – breeding a Jellicle cat… sounds like I’ve got a few here already?!
@ Emily – oh thank you … am happy to please …
@ Jz - sorry about the sticky song … way of life sometime – fun … just glad I sent you off happy yesterday morning!
@ Liz – it is a made up word … but TS Eliot’s poem is such a fun one …
Cheers to you all – so glad the post amused and let your minds wander – and thank you for all the comments and extra ideas - Hilary
You could have picked Jaguar or some other critter, but a literary one is fair game.
Maui Jungalow
I love your wordplay in this post! (by the way, can you tell I am playing catch-up? Finally have a breather after a busy week :) )
I love the Jellicle cats! Saw the musical in London and I loved it when the cats stalked through the audience :)
Once again, love the alliteration!
Jellicle cat sounds like a character straight out of Dr. Seuss's books!
Jolly Good. Would you believe I have never seen Cats? Or seen a Jacob sheep? No countries beginning with J? What a Journey you've taken us on. The Unknown Journey Ahead agingonthespectrum.blogspot.com
Check it out Hilary, it's Borogoves with no second r. Although I did actually use the second r when I named my house, before I realised I had mis-spelled it.
Yay for the jellicle cats! Loved the musical. I accidentally saw it flipping through TV stations. Was playing on public TV. What a treat.
My mom and sister took a tour of England, Scotland and got to see Cat's at the theatre. It was a highlight of the trip. Eating haggis, meah.
Jabberwokey had me thinking about this dance team that has posted it's videos you Youtube in the Past.
L is for L'Engle, have you read Wrinkle in Time?
http://theglobaldig.blogspot.com/2017/04/l-is-for-lengle-atozchallenge-via.html
@trincarl
@ Courtney – I could have chosen Jaguar .. but they’re not found in Britain, so couldn’t fit my series … but I’d love to write about Jaguars … I made a good choice though I think?!
@ Sylvia – it’s good to see you … and I try and bring some extra life into my posts … The show Cats is brilliant isn’t it … I’ve been once … and obviously the characters come to visit the radio or tv rather a lot, as too the suburban and school theatres …
@ Michelle – thank you … I enjoy the alliterative parts when I do the A-Z posts … I never read Dr Seuss’s books … missed my childhood obviously!
@ Bookworm – I’m sure Cats will turn up somewhere near you – it’s well worth seeing. Jacob sheep – I’ve a note to self! to put a snippet into my S post for them. They are counties – not countries … but I have could have had Jersey … it is certainly one journey I’ve taken you all on …
@ Jo – thanks …
@ Sharon – exactly ‘yay’ for Jellicles – that was well caught I’d say … the musical is a treat to watch as a show.
@ Ann – brilliant about them being able to get the musical of Cats into their tour … I’m rather fond of haggis – but preferably when it’s cold, with a good log fire and some fiery spirit around – though not whiskey!
@ Trin – good to meet you here … I’m glad Jabberwocky took you off to L’Engle’s book called a Wrinkle in Time – I haven’t read any of her books … but I’m not that keen on SciFi –perhaps I should be?!
Thanks so much to you all for visiting and commenting … have happy and peaceful Easters … Hilary
I love T S Eliot but never quite liked the Old Possum poems... Love Jabberwocky!
@ Deniz - it's just such a lovely name and fitted so well for this J post ... but Jabberwocky is pretty special too ... and a fascinating poem ... which requires a lot of interpretation ...
Cheers Hilary
Hi Hilary, I've been reading through all my comments on my A to Z and I spotted your link and thought, "I don't remember following that post!" And I didn't, despite reading a good number of them. I'm so sorry. Congrats on reaching the end of the challenge. I hope you had as good a month as I did. Come and visit my world: Share Your World
Hi Shirley thanks for the comment which went off to moderation ... we're in touch now ... and yes it's been a good Challenge - cheers Hilary
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